John m



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHNVM. FENNERTY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

RAILROAD-SPIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 345,423, dated July 1 3, 1886.

Application lcd December 29, 1885. Serial No. 186,978. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. FENNERTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have iinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Spikes, of which the following is aspecitication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

In practice it is found thatrailwayspikes are i'irst loosened from their position in the ties by the lateral pressure of the rails caused by the expansion of the rails in cold weather, and also by the weight and force exerted on them by passing trains, which gradually enlarges thespace occupied by the spikesin the ties until they easily yield to the vertical vibratory motion of the rails, and are ofno service in holding the rails in position. It is also found that the overlapping ledges, which are usually cast with the spikes to form a hold for the claw-bar or other tool to withdraw or eX- tract them from the ties, are liable to become chipped or broken off, and thus leave no place by which they may be grasped to withdraw them.

Now, this invention is intended to obviate the abovenamed objectionable features of the spikes in common use, and to provide a spike for securely holding the railin position, either by direct contact therewith or through the intervention of a chair, and which will offer a great resistance to the lateral pressure or strain of the rail, as well as to its vertical vibratory motion; and -it consists of the parts and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my improved spikes in position, and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the same. A

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout both the views.

A represents the body orshank ofthe spike, having a sharpened wedge-shaped point, F, which enters the tie and severs the fibers thereof, instead of merely crowding or displacing them. At its upper end the body or shank A is provided with an enlarged head, B, somewhat elongated. This enlargement does not extend out beyond the body A on either side,

but does extend or is elongated beyond a verl tical line drawn from or a continuation ot' line a of the body A, thus presenting a surface sufticiently large to form a headfor the spur E, as Well as the body A, enabling it to be driven in at the same time and by the same force which drives the body, without liability of the spur or its arm D being broken.

From the upper end or head, B, of the spike projects a shoulder or chin, C, beveled on its under side, so as to fit and rest closely on the flange of a rail when the spike is in position. From the opposite side of the spike an arm,D, projects. This arm D, it will be observed, is curved from the head B downwardly to the point b, and also on its under side from its connection with the body of the spike to the same point. This construction is of great iniportance,as when the spike and spur are driven into the tie the arm D forms a bridge over that part of the tie between the body A and spur E, leaving a space, G, under the arm, in which a crow-bar, a pick, or other tool may be inserted and the spike withdrawn from the tie. It will also be observed that it is nextto impossible to drive the body A and spur E so far into the wood that the space G will be closed, for the reason that on the rail side of the spike the shoulder or chin C rests on the flange of the rail, the top of which is elevated some distance above the tie, which will eftectuall'y prevent the further entrance of the spike, While on the opposite side of the head the arm D springs from the body of the spike at a point slightly above the point of connection of the lower side of the shoulder or chin C,and curves downwardly, so lthat any attempt to drive the spike in beyond the point c, and thus'close the `space G, will break the curved arm. The

spur E is sharpened at its-point,after the manner of a chisel, which severs the fibers of the Wood, making a clean,sharp cut,and insuring a solid backing therefor.

'The spur E increases the resisting-power of the spike to the lateral strain of the rails, and the spike, being thus re-enforced, more effectually resists the vertical vibratory motion thereof, which has a tendency to withdraw it.

Thus it will be seen that my improved spike is adapted to resist great outward strain upon the rails, especially Where curves occur, and

said shoulder, and terminating in a ehiselfedged spur, E, whereby an opening is provided beneath said arm for the insertion of a lever to withdraw the spike, substantially as and for i5 the purpose speeilied.

In testimony whereof I affix my signatu re in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN M. FENNERTY. W'itnesses:

N V. A. REDMOND, J. HENRY KAIsER. 

